Sydenham Campus Principal Message 

Sydenham Campus Principals Report June 2023 

It has been a busy end to term 2 at the Sydenham campus but a successful one.

On June 1st we had a College Music Concert at the Bowery Theatre. Just over 200 people came to see our amazing students showcase their talents and performances they have been working on. Our Sydenham students did a fantastic job, and they should be very proud. Some notable mentions are Emma Hackney and her beautiful singing, Aydin Kendjer and his entertaining dance to a Michael Jackson Melody and our Campus band singing ‘Eye of the Tiger’. Thank you to the teachers involved in organising his event and supporting the students.

We are lucky enough to share a partnership with ABCN, who provide us with excellent support and programs for our students. This term we have had 2 programs for our year 10s. Interview to Impress was a program that 20 of our students attended to get help and guidance on how to apply for job and job interviews. A great program for our students to start to them thinking about life after school and to become independent in the work force. Focus was our second program where 10 of our year 10 female students attended discuss all things ‘Female Leadership’. Students have waled away feeling equipped with knowledge and skills to lead small group projects and confidence in sharing their own voice.

Our year 9 and 10s completed their first round of exams for 2023. Our year 9s sitting exams for the very first time. Students are looking to use these exams to get a taste of life in VCE and their future exams. Our year 10 exams were held in the gym where they had external VCAA exam supervisors supporting to show them the way exams are held and facilitated in VCE. Thank you to our Campus Leader, Miranda Orford, and the year 9 and 10 Team Leaders for supporting our students with their exams.

On Thursday June 22nd our year 10 students will be going to our senior Delahey campus to experience life at the senior campus. This is a part of our transition and support for students as they prepare to be senior students next year. They will have a tour of the campus and hear from the student leaders already completing VCE and VCE VM.

Early this term we had our year 7 classes attend the Melbourne Zoo as a part of their Science work. Both staff and student braved the elements and had a great day wandering around the zoo looking at he different animals. Students discuss the different types of animals and their habitats in the wild while also experiencing feeding the penguins. 

Please see below an introduction to our 4 Team Leaders. These are our amazing leaders supporting both teachers and students in and out of the classroom daily. With their leadership and guidance, students can enjoy the school environment participating in a range of activities throughout the school day and week.

Sam Mollaj – H team Leader

I have been with Copperfield College for a little over 3 years now... I love coming to work at Copperfield College and working alongside amazing colleagues to provide a safe and supportive environment for our students. 

Other than being a Team Leader, I am a passionate PE/Health Teacher. My main goals in Health and PE are to set students up with physical and social capabilities that they can take into the future as well as provide them with knowledge of health to ensure they have a good quality of life. 

My out of work hours consist of spending time with my wife, family and my dog as well as planning adventures/getaways. 

Celine Chung – E team Leader

I started my Copperfield journey back in the second half of 2018 as a CRT for a week, then as a short-term classroom teacher at the Kings Park Campus. When I left temporarily to take another position elsewhere, I felt a void in my heart and realised how much I missed the laughter and uniqueness of Copperfield students. So, I returned home where my official and ongoing journey began in 2019 at the Sydenham campus. It’s where I have been since and wouldn’t have it any other way. 

In my spare time, I like to escape reality by immersing myself in a good novel, and binge-watching series that my students recommend on Netflix or any other digital streaming platform.  

James Riccobene – B Team Leader

I have been working with Copperfield College for a little over 4 years, I. enjoy supporting students in their education and their success. 

Aside from my team leading role, I am a PE/Health Teacher, which represents my passion for overall health and fitness. My main role and aim of providing physical education at Copperfield College is to help students develop the competencies and beliefs necessary for incorporating regular physical activity into their lives.

I like to fill up my spare time playing soccer, golf and enjoying time with friends and family. 

Jake Stirkul – K team Leader

I have been teaching for 8 years with 6 of those being here at Copperfield College. Aside from team leading which I have started this year I also teach Science,  Mathematics and some Robotics. I greatly enjoy helping students build the skills needed to think about the world around them and how things work. This is a passion I bring not only to the classroom but also extracurricular activities at the school by running the robotics club at the Sydenham campus. 

Outside of school I enjoy a variety of activities including Video Games, reading, hanging out with friends and playing a mix of sports.

Congratulations and Well Done to our RRR award winners for term 2. These students demonstrated the school values of Respect, Responsibility and Valuing relationships on a regular basis.

H team

7H1: Timoteo Loli - Mia Hernandez

7H2: Gabriel Vieira - Jade Interlandi

7H3: Lionel Cakeri - Amy Jozinovic

8H1: Bill Power  - Bella San Pedro

8H2: Albert Bangco - Achol Deng

8H3: Lucy Martin  - Filip Apostolovski

8H4: Taniya Redhu - Jaxon Lapworth 

E team

7E1:  Erdem Arisoy - Chloe Burgess 

7E2:  Tyler Pham  - Sienna Richer 

7E3:  Jenny Nguyen - Edmund Hornig 

7E4:  Janessa Clarke - Jayden Ubina 

8E1:  Sophie Le - Jordan Lazarkov 

8E2:  Huy Nguyen - Ivan Tang 

8E3: Aydin Kendjer - Kate Wacuka

B Team

9B1 : Audrey Chiodo - Aden Mustafa

9B2: Roxanne Hassett - Dom Kulundzic

9B3: Alan Milley - Kyana Ly

10B1: Catherine Monteleone - Zahra Amini

10B2: Jia Sahota - Nathan Palmer

10B3: Ring Jere - Mia Triantafillidis

10B4: Kiara Ambesi - Fredah Feseetai

10B5: Ameliya Lee  -Jacob Misfud

K Team

9K1: Marcus Randich - Jessica Ho

9K2: Logan Petherick - Makayla Van Loggerenberg

9K3: Alexander Putrino - Elizabeth Petrova

9K4: Koby Abela - Rhianna Borg

10K1: Nathan Busuttil - Connor Davis

10K2: Makayla Nolan - Sienna Izak

10K3: Mia Cutajar - William Harris

10K4: Alexander Hughes - Isabella Portelli

As you can see, lots going on and we have a lot coming up in term 3. We look forward to continuing to work on our campus goals and having a ‘Champions Together’.

Mr Andrew Atherton and Ms Mary Chiodo                                Campus Principals